Vance County Vehicle Impound Guide

How to retrieve your impounded vehicle after a DUI arrest in Vance County, NC

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Vance County

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

Vehicles are impounded immediately following an arrest for driving under the influence. This clears the roadway. The arresting agency does not store your vehicle on municipal property. Instead, they contract with private towing operators who transport the vehicle to private storage lots.

Under North Carolina General Statute § 20-28.3, immediate vehicle forfeiture and seizure can occur if you are charged with an impaired driving offense while your license is already revoked for a prior impaired driving offense. For a standard first offense, the vehicle is towed and stored at a private lot until the owner meets the legal release requirements.

Where Is Your Car?

Locating your vehicle requires contacting the law enforcement agency that initiated the traffic stop. Because there is no centralized municipal impound facility, local authorities utilize a rotating list of private towing companies. The specific company holding your vehicle depends entirely on which operator was next on the rotation list at the exact hour of your arrest. You must track them down.

A major geographical error occurs frequently during online searches. The county seat is the city of Henderson. Online search queries for towing services in Henderson often return results for Hendersonville, a completely different municipality located in Henderson County in western North Carolina. Companies such as A Plus Towing or B and R Towing operate in that western region, not in this jurisdiction. Ensure you verify the physical address of the towing company to confirm it is located within the local municipal limits of Henderson.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The arresting officer lists the name and contact details of the towing company on the vehicle seizure or citation forms provided during booking.
• Call the sheriff's office non-emergency line: If you do not have the paperwork, contact the Sheriff's Office non-emergency dispatch line at 252-438-3923.
• Reference your booking details: Provide the dispatcher with the date, time, and exact location of the arrest to help them identify the dispatched towing service.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Private towing companies operating on the state rotation list must follow strict administrative rules. Under North Carolina Administrative Code 14B NCAC 07A.0116, these facilities are legally required to allow vehicle retrieval between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, seven days a week, excluding official holidays. An agent must be available to answer calls and facilitate releases during these hours.

Required Documents

To secure the release of your vehicle, you must present the following documents at the storage lot:

• A valid driver's license issued by the government.
• The physical vehicle title or a current registration card proving ownership.
• Proof of active auto insurance coverage for the vehicle.
• Full payment for all accumulated towing and storage fees.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

An arrest for an impaired driving offense triggers an immediate administrative license revocation under North Carolina General Statute § 20-16.5. Because you cannot legally drive, you must arrange for a licensed driver to retrieve the vehicle.

• The licensed driver must present their valid driver's license at the lot.
• You must provide a signed, written letter of authorization permitting that specific individual to retrieve your vehicle.
• The vehicle's registration or title must still be presented to prove ownership.

Costs & Fees

Towing and storage rates are capped by state administrative rules for companies on the official rotation list. These operators cannot charge higher fees for a law enforcement rotation call than they charge for a standard civilian call.

Standard towing fees in North Carolina run $150 to $300. Daily storage fees are $25 to $50 per day. These fees accumulate daily, starting the moment the vehicle is hooked to the tow truck.

Under 14B NCAC 07A.0116, the towing company forfeits the right to charge storage fees for any day they prevent you from retrieving the vehicle. If the lot is closed during the mandated 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM window, or if their representative fails to answer the phone to facilitate a release, document the call logs. You cannot be charged for storage on those days.

Payment

Private operators establish their own payment policies. Many require cash, while others accept credit cards or money orders. Call the specific tow yard in advance to confirm their accepted payment methods and the exact total owed before traveling to the lot.

Timeline

Fees accumulate rapidly, making immediate action necessary.

Act Immediately

Storage fees start accruing the moment your vehicle is towed. Every day the vehicle remains in the lot increases the final cost. If you are held at the local Detention Center, authorize a family member or friend to retrieve the vehicle immediately.

After 30 Days

Under North Carolina General Statute § 44A-2, a towing company holding an unclaimed vehicle can initiate a possessory lien sale after 30 days. Once this process begins, the operator can legally sell the vehicle at a public auction to satisfy the unpaid towing and storage debt.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

If you cannot cover the cost of retrieval, you must act quickly to stop the fees from compounding.

• Request a Tow Hearing: Under North Carolina General Statute § 20-219.11, you can contest the validity of the tow. File a written request for a tow hearing with the local magistrate. The magistrate must hold this hearing within 72 hours of your filing. If the magistrate rules that the law enforcement officer lacked probable cause for the tow, the arresting agency must pay the towing company, and your vehicle will be released without cost to you.
• Secure Financial Assistance: Contact a family member or friend to help cover the costs immediately to prevent further daily storage charges.

After Retrieval

Perform a rigorous physical inspection of the vehicle before driving away from the storage lot.

• Inspect the exterior and interior: Check the bumper, undercarriage, and panels for scrape marks or structural damage caused by the tow truck.
• Document with photographs: Take clear, time-stamped photos of all sides of the vehicle while it is still on the towing company's property.
• File an immediate written report: If you discover damage, report the issues to the lot manager in writing before leaving. If the operator is on the state rotation list, they are liable for damage caused by negligent handling.